Duke Energy begins power restoration efforts in Carolinas after Helene causes 1.7 million customer outages and historic flooding, multiday outages expected
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) has begun power restoration efforts in the Carolinas after Hurricane Helene caused 1.7 million customer outages and historic flooding. As of 4 p.m., approximately 1.34 million customers remain without power, with outages most prevalent in western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina. The company has already restored power to over 380,000 customers.
Duke Energy has deployed about 11,000 workers, including additional crews from 19 states and Canada, to assess damage and restore power. However, flooding and road closures are impeding restoration efforts, and multiday outages are expected. The company is also managing rising lake levels in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, which may lead to increased flooding risks.
Customers are urged to be cautious of damaged equipment and report outages through the Duke Energy app, website, or by calling 800.POWERON. The company is focusing on restoring power to public health and safety facilities first while considering how to impact the greatest number of customers.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) ha avviato gli sforzi per il ripristino dell'energia nelle Caronline dopo che l'uragano Helene ha causato 1,7 milioni di interruzioni di corrente e inondazioni storiche. Alle 16:00, circa 1,34 milioni di clienti sono ancora senza energia, con interruzioni più comuni nella parte occidentale della Carolina del Nord e nell'Upstate della Carolina del Sud. L'azienda ha già ripristinato l'energia a oltre 380.000 clienti.
Duke Energy ha dispiegato circa 11.000 lavoratori, comprese squadre aggiuntive da 19 stati e dal Canada, per valutare i danni e ripristinare l'energia. Tuttavia, le inondazioni e la chiusura delle strade stanno ostacolando gli sforzi di ripristino e interruzioni che durano diversi giorni sono attese. L'azienda sta anche gestendo l'aumento dei livelli lacustri nel bacino del fiume Catawba-Wateree, il che potrebbe aumentare i rischi di inondazione.
Si invita i clienti a prestare attenzione alle attrezzature danneggiate e a segnalare le interruzioni tramite l'app Duke Energy, il sito web o chiamando il numero 800.POWERON. L'azienda si sta concentrando sul ripristino dell'energia a strutture pubbliche di salute e sicurezza come priorità, considerando anche l'impatto sul maggior numero di clienti possibile.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) ha comenzado los esfuerzos de restauración de energía en las Carolinas después de que el huracán Helene causara 1.7 millones de interrupciones de servicio y inundaciones históricas. A las 4 p.m., aproximadamente 1.34 millones de clientes todavía están sin energía, con cortes más prevalentes en el oeste de Carolina del Norte y en el Upstate de Carolina del Sur. La compañía ya ha restablecido la energía a más de 380,000 clientes.
Duke Energy ha desplegado alrededor de 11,000 trabajadores, incluyendo equipos adicionales de 19 estados y Canadá, para evaluar los daños y restaurar la energía. Sin embargo, las inundaciones y los cierres de carreteras están obstaculizando los esfuerzos de restauración, y se esperan interrupciones que durarán varios días. La compañía también está gestionando el aumento de los niveles de los lagos en la cuenca del río Catawba-Wateree, lo que podría aumentar los riesgos de inundación.
Se insta a los clientes a tener cuidado con el equipo dañado y a informar sobre las interrupciones a través de la aplicación de Duke Energy, el sitio web o llamando al 800.POWERON. La compañía se está enfocando en restaurar la energía a las instalaciones de salud y seguridad pública primero, considerando cómo impactar al mayor número de clientes.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK)는 허리케인 헬렌으로 인해 170만 고객의 전력 중단과 역사적인 홍수가 발생한 후 캐롤라이나에서 전원 복구 작업을 시작했습니다. 오후 4시 기준으로 134만 고객이 여전히 전기 없이 지내고 있으며, 전력 중단은 주로 노스캐롤라이나 서부와 사우스캐롤라이나 업스테이트 지역에서 발생하고 있습니다. 회사는 이미 380,000명 이상의 고객에게 전력을 복구했습니다.
Duke Energy는 11,000명의 작업자를 배치하였으며, 이들은 19개 주와 캐나다에서 온 추가 팀들을 포함하여 피해를 평가하고 전력을 복구하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다. 그러나 홍수와 도로 통제로 인해 복구 작업이 방해받고 있으며, 며칠 간의 중단이 예상됩니다. 또한 회사는 카타우바-와테리 강 유역에서 증가하는 호수 수위를 관리하고 있으며, 이는 홍수 위험을 증가시킬 수 있습니다.
고객들은 손상된 장비에 주의하고 Duke Energy 앱, 웹사이트 또는 전화 800.POWERON을 통해 전력 중단을 신고할 것을 권장합니다. 회사는 공공 건강 및 안전 시설에 전력을 복구하는 것을 우선적으로 진행하고 있으며, 최대한 많은 고객에게 영향을 미치도록 고려하고 있습니다.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) a démarré les efforts de restauration de l'électricité dans les Carolines après que l'ouragan Helene a causé 1,7 million de coupures de courant et des inondations historiques. À 16 heures, environ 1,34 million de clients sont encore privés d'électricité, les coupures étant plus répandues dans l'ouest de la Caroline du Nord et dans le Upstate de la Caroline du Sud. La société a déjà rétabli l'électricité pour plus de 380 000 clients.
Duke Energy a déployé environ 11 000 travailleurs, y compris des équipes supplémentaires de 19 États et du Canada, pour évaluer les dommages et restaurer l'électricité. Cependant, les inondations et les fermetures de routes entravent les efforts de restauration, et des coupures prolongées sont à prévoir. L'entreprise gère également la montée des niveaux d'eau dans le bassin versant des rivières Catawba-Wateree, ce qui pourrait augmenter les risques d'inondation.
Les clients sont invités à faire preuve de prudence concernant les équipements endommagés et à signaler les coupures via l'application Duke Energy, le site Web ou en appelant le 800.POWERON. L'entreprise se concentre sur la restauration de l'électricité pour les installations de santé et de sécurité publiques en priorité, tout en considérant l'impact sur le plus grand nombre de clients possible.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) hat mit den Wiederherstellungsarbeiten der Stromversorgung in den Carolinas begonnen, nachdem der Hurrikan Helene 1,7 Millionen Kunden ohne Strom und historische Überschwemmungen verursacht hat. Um 16 Uhr sind noch etwa 1,34 Millionen Kunden ohne Strom, wobei die meisten Ausfälle im westlichen North Carolina und im Upstate von South Carolina auftreten. Das Unternehmen hat bereits bei über 380.000 Kunden den Strom wiederhergestellt.
Duke Energy hat etwa 11.000 Arbeiter eingesetzt, darunter zusätzliche Teams aus 19 Bundesstaaten und Kanada, um die Schäden zu bewerten und den Strom wiederherzustellen. Allerdings behindern Überschwemmungen und Straßenblockaden die Wiederherstellungsbemühungen, und mehrtägige Ausfälle werden erwartet. Das Unternehmen verwaltet auch die steigenden Wasserspiegel in dem Catawba-Wateree-Flussbecken, was zu einem erhöhten Risiko von Überschwemmungen führen könnte.
Kunden werden aufgefordert, Vorsicht bei beschädigten Geräten walten zu lassen und Ausfälle über die Duke Energy-App, die Website oder unter 800.POWERON zu melden. Das Unternehmen konzentriert sich zunächst darauf, die Stromversorgung für öffentliche Gesundheits- und Sicherheitseinrichtungen wiederherzustellen, wobei auch die Auswirkungen auf die größtmögliche Anzahl von Kunden berücksichtigt werden.
- Duke Energy has already restored power to over 380,000 customers
- Deployment of 11,000 workers for damage assessment and power restoration
- Additional crews from 19 states and Canada brought in to assist
- 1.34 million customers still without power, mostly in western N.C. and Upstate S.C.
- Flooding and road closures impeding restoration efforts
- Multiday outages expected for many customers
- Increased flooding risks in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin due to rising lake levels
Insights
The impact of Hurricane Helene on Duke Energy's operations is significant. With 1.34 million customers still without power and 380,000 outages already restored, this event will have substantial financial implications. The company has mobilized 11,000 workers from 19 states and Canada, indicating a massive resource allocation.
The extensive damage, particularly in western North Carolina and South Carolina, suggests prolonged restoration efforts. This will likely result in increased operational costs and potential revenue loss from extended outages. The mention of "multiday outages" implies a significant impact on Duke Energy's service reliability metrics.
Investors should watch for potential regulatory scrutiny regarding Duke Energy's storm preparedness and response. The company's proactive communication and collaboration with local authorities may help mitigate reputational risks. However, the scale of the outages could lead to discussions about grid resilience investments, potentially affecting future capital expenditure plans.
The flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, particularly in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, presents significant environmental and operational risks for Duke Energy. The company's management of 11 lakes and 12 hydroelectric stations in this basin is crucial, as rising water levels could lead to potential dam safety issues and impact power generation capabilities.
The mention of lake levels rising to "historic levels" and increased "major flooding risks" suggests potential damage to infrastructure and environmental concerns. This situation may require additional investments in flood mitigation and infrastructure reinforcement, impacting future capital allocations.
From an ESG perspective, Duke Energy's response to this extreme weather event will be closely watched. Their ability to manage environmental risks and maintain safe operations during such events is important for maintaining investor confidence, especially given the company's ambitious clean energy transition goals.
- Company restored more than 380,000 customer outages as of 4 p.m.
- Approximately 1.34 million customers, mostly in western N.C. and the Upstate of S.C., remain without power and should prepare for potential multiday outages
- About 11,000 workers working quickly and safely on repairs, including additional crews from 19 states and
Canada - Customers urged to be cautious of damaged equipment, rising lake levels along the Catawba-Wateree River Basin
As of 4 p.m.:
- Approximately 1.34 million Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas are without power. This includes nearly 703,000 customers in
North Carolina and about 639,000 customers inSouth Carolina . - Duke Energy has already restored more than 380,000 customer outages in the Carolinas, including roughly 281,000 in
North Carolina and 99,000 inSouth Carolina .
Duke Energy also reports that the effects of flooding and road closures will impede efforts to restore power, especially in western
As workers continue performing damage assessments, Duke Energy said it plans to communicate additional information regarding restoration times to customers through dukeenergyupdates.com, Outage Alerts and its Outage Map.
"Helene's winds were powerful and destructive and its rains were historic," said Jason Hollifield, storm director for Duke Energy in the Carolinas. "We started monitoring Helene when it was first identified and prepared well in advance for its impact. Even so, the damage is extensive and it could take days to restore power to all customers.
"We have over 11,000 storm workers who are committed to doing everything possible to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. We're also bringing in thousands of additional resources to help with power restorations in the hardest hit areas."
Reporting a power outage
Duke Energy advises customers to report power outages via the Duke Energy app or website, by texting OUT to 57801 or by calling 800.POWERON (800.769.3766).
Power restoration process
Workers must assess the extent of storm damage before being able to restore most power outages. This process can take 24 hours or more and is necessary to determine what types of workers, equipment and supplies are needed to repair a particular outage.
Duke Energy focuses on restoring power as safely and quickly as possible and in a sequence that begins with public health and safety facilities, while also considering how to impact the greatest number of customers.
Learn more about how Duke Energy restores power.
Thousands of workers from
In advance of the storm, Duke Energy strategically staged equipment and approximately 11,000 workers – power line technicians, damage assessors and vegetation workers – at strategic locations across the Carolinas. The workforce includes Duke Energy employees and contractors normally based in the Carolinas and individuals from other electric companies in 19 U.S. states and
Safety recommendations for customers
Duke Energy asks customers to stay tuned to local news for the latest advisories from state and local emergency management officials. The company also offered these safety tips and reminders:
- Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.
- If a power line falls across a car that you are in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
- Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters.
- When using a power generator, always follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe and proper operation. This includes operating the generator outside in a well-ventilated area – and never inside a building or garage.
- Please watch for utility crews and turn the generator off when crews are in your area. The electrical load on the power lines can be hazardous for crews making repairs.
- If rising water threatens your home – or if you evacuate your home – turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
- Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over or stand near downed power lines.
- Downed lines may be hard to see in the rain and can potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.
- If your home or business is flooded, Duke Energy cannot reconnect power until the electrical system has been inspected by a licensed electrician. If there is damage, an electrician will need to make repairs and obtain verification from your local building inspection authority before power can be restored.
Potential flooding due to rising lake levels
Lake levels continue to rise sharply as heavy precipitation from Helene adds to the many inches of rain the region already received this week. This is especially true for the Catawba-Wateree River Basin, which is composed of a chain of 11 lakes and 12 hydroelectric stations connected by the Catawba River.
Duke Energy manages the lakes' water levels while balancing inflows, including from events such as this. The company does this by moving water through its generating units and, where possible, operating spillway gates and flood gates. Because water management in one lake often impacts others, Duke Energy manages the river basins as an entire system.
The company began aggressively moving water through the Catawba-Wateree River Basin earlier this week in anticipation of Helene's arrival as well as a separate weather system that dumped heavy rains in the region. Rainfall over the past 48 hours, however, has exceeded initial national and global forecasts. So, even with Duke Energy's aggressive preparations, lake levels have risen sharply and will likely continue to rise, some to historic levels. This has increased major flooding risks in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin.
The high-water conditions can also create dangerous conditions such as floating debris and electrical hazards. Those living along lakes and rivers should move loose objects away from the shoreline to prevent additional hazards – and contact local law enforcement to report dangerous situations involving floating debris.
Duke Energy encourages communities along the Catawba-Wateree River Basin to use caution, stay informed and pay close attention to changing streamflow conditions. In addition, the company advises residents to follow the directions of state and county emergency management and watch for emergency notification messages on their mobile phones.
Company representatives are actively collaborating with local emergency management officials to ensure they are informed of any changes in water levels. Local authorities will notify residents should evacuations, road closures or electrical disconnects be necessary.
Real-time lake level information is available at duke-energy.com/lakes or by calling 800.829.LAKE (5253). Updates are also available through the Duke Energy Lake View mobile app, which is available from the App Store and Google Play.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.
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SOURCE Duke Energy
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